Creating magic with flute

Living Legend

Not associating him with the melodic harmonies of the bansuri is akin to imagining Krishna without his flute.

Born to a wrestler father, he spent many days in the akhada (training centres for wrestling) and had to learn music without the knowledge of his father.

Going strong in his early seventies, Chaurasia’s music still holds a magnetic lure. Bangloreans listened to the musical genius when he had come to town recently for a concert.

Appreciating the audience in Bangalore he said, “It is always a delight to perform in Bangalore. People here understand the ragas and are very informed about music. So it always pleases me to perform in this City.”

Chaurasia has collaborated with many Western musicians to create wonderful compositions.
“I don’t know why people call it fusion music. We don’t usually know what is going to come out of the collaboration or what we are going to play. It is each musician’s interpretation on stage. We are all united by one common link, which is the language of music.” he added.

When asked if he thought that the youngsters today lacked patience when it came to music, he disagreed and said, “Music is the only thing they have patience for, this very concert is an example. Even after the concert ended, I was asked to continue playing. They even voiced out the ragas they wanted to listen to.”

On youngsters pursuing music he said, “The first thing they need to do is listen to music. It doesn’t matter what kind of music but it is essential to listen to as much music as possible. Those who want to pursue it more seriously need to find a proper guru.”

Chaurasia has two music schools to his credit — one in Mumbai and the other in Orissa. His music schools are based on the guru-shisya philosophy.

When asked if he has any plans of opening a music school down South. He said, “I don't know yet, I still haven’t been approached by any private organisation or government down South. So let’s see.”
About the late Bhimsen Joshi, he said, “Yatha Naam Tatha Gun (as was his name, so were his qualities). He was a very simple man. I tried to follow him since 1957 but never managed to catch up with him. He used to give three programmes a day and we were all shocked.

We used to wonder what people from Karnataka ate to be as strong as he was. His demise was saddening, but everyone has to go someday.”